Light Bulb Storage Case

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a storage case for light bulbs of varying size within a protective and portable case. The case organizes and stores both new and used light bulbs in a central location. The case includes a back panel or shelves with receptacles for receiving the base of a light bulb. The shelves can be trays which can slide in and out of the case. Additionally, the case may include drawers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a packaging device for safely securing a fragile article and in greater detail to a protective device for storing light bulbs.

BACKGROUND

Packaging devices are readily available for storing nearly all kinds of glassware and other fragile glassware items. Some examples of the types of items stored in protective packaging devices include glassware, dishware, crystal ware, vases, art glass, ornaments, figurines, and the like. Such packaging is especially required for storing or shipment of fine or heirloom quality items that must be protected from the shock of handling.

One type of product that is typically provided with only minimal protective packaging for storage is the ubiquitous light bulb. The packaging typically consists of paper or low-strength cardboard fitments designed to support the bulb within some sort of carton. Often, the carton itself is die cut with folded, upset portions or panels that support and enclose the bulb while separating one bulb's surfaces from an adjacent bulb's surface in packs of more than one bulb. This type of packaging is light weight and inexpensive to produce, and also facilitates handling the bulbs during packing for shipment or for display in a retail environment.

However, this type of packaging is structurally weak, providing little or no protection against mechanical shock or impact and against being tightly packed with or under other articles. Moreover, this type of packaging has several other disadvantages from the point of view of the end user, particularly as to its utility in fulfilling the functions of storage, selection, and inventory status.

For example, end users often keep a supply of light bulbs on hand, usually storing them in some out of the way location on a shelf or in a box or cabinet. The packaged bulbs are placed in a container or stacked on a shelf, often in a haphazard manner because, once a particular bulb is sought, sorting through the available bulbs leaves the unselected bulbs in disarray. This impairs subsequent searches for the correct bulb (unless all of the bulbs are of the same type and rating), because the user must typically handle each bulb to locate its rating or type.

Moreover, this method of storing the bulbs impairs taking an inventory of the bulbs on hand when a shopping list is being prepared, because, again, each individual bulb or bulb package must be handled to ascertain its type and rating. With this type of bulb packaging and storage, it is almost impossible to perform a selection of a bulb for replacement or to determine the inventory status by inspection without handling each bulb individually.

Furthermore handling each bulb individually is time consuming, tends to disturb the inventory arrangement, and risks damage to the bulbs. Once a bulb is selected, the paper packaging typically available in the prior art, having no useful shape without a bulb inside, has little or no utility and is usually discarded along with the burned out bulb that the contents of the packaging replaced.

Thus what is needed is a storage device for light bulbs that overcomes these deficiencies and provides added utility and protection for the bulbs.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a storage case for light bulbs of varying sizes. The storage case provides a central location for storing bulbs within a home or other location. The storage case further provides a secure and safe holder for protecting the enclosed bulbs from damage. The storage case may also be utilized for holding used bulbs in a secure location.

In greater detail, the storage case for light bulbs includes in one embodiment sidewalls extending out from and attached to a back panel forming a housing wth an open face. The back panel may further include a plurality of receptacles for securing light bulbs within the housing. The receptacles may be screw type sockets for securing the bulbs to the panel or other means for securing the bulb base such as slotted friction fit openings.

The case can further include a door covering secured to the housing and enclosing the open face of the housing forming a door. The storage case in a further embodiment includes a drawer element which is movable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position relative to the housing. The case may include a handle attached to the housing for carrying the storage case and a locking mechanism for further securing the bulb within the receptacles.

A further embodiment includes a storage case for light bulbs comprising a plurality of trays within the housing and movable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position relative to the housing. The trays further include a plurality of receptacles for securing the light bulbs within the trays.

Within an embodiment is a locking mechanism included for further securing the bulb within the receptacles of the trays. The locking mechanism includes the tray having slotted openings for receiving a base portion of the bulb wherein the slotted opening is shaped to engage the base portion. The slotted opening also includes a center locking position for securing the bulb base within the slotted opening.

DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the storage case for light bulbs including trays for holding light bulbs wherein the trays can slide within the housing;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the case having a back panel having receptacles for receiving a bulb base and drawers within the case;

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of the case depicting an embodiment having drawers or shelves positioned within the case;

FIG. 4 is a further illustration of the bulb carrying case having trays or shelves within the housing of the case; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the slotted mechanism and receptacles of the case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a storage case for light bulbs of varying size within a protective case. The case can both organize and store new and used light bulbs in a central location within a home or other location. The case includes a housing having either a back panel or shelves with receptacles for receiving the base of a light bulb. The shelves can be trays which can slide in and out of the case. Additionally, the case may include drawers for storing both bulbs and other items.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like items throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-5 depict the light bulb case in various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment showing the shelves or trays 8 within the housing 10. The housing 10 includes opposed sidewalls 2 extending out from a base portion 1 forming the housing 10. The housing may be formed from most any material including polymeric materials such as plastics. Furthermore, the housing 10 may be formed from resin materials such as fiber glass. Also, the housing 10 can be formed from either wood or metal.

Additionally illustrated in FIG. 1 is a cover door 3 secured to the housing such known means as hinges or the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the trays or shelves 8 may be positioned within the housing 10 either in a fixed position or slidably fit within the housing 10. The trays 8 may be movable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position relative to the housing 10 as being slidably fit within.

Furthermore, receptacles 6 are included within the case for securing light bulbs. The receptacles 6 may be sized to fit any number of bulbs. Additionally, the number of receptacles 6 is only limited by the space available and the size of bulbs to be contained within. The receptacles 6 can have a screw type receptacles for the receiving the threads of the bulb base. Additionally, the receptacles 6 may simply be holes for holding the bulbs or friction fit slots. The slots may have foamed sides for holding the bulbs or slots wherein the trays can receive bulbs of varying sizes as shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, there may be various locking mechanisms used to secure the bulb base within the receptacle 6.

Additionally, a handle 5 may be included and attached to the housing 10. The handle 5 is not limited to any particular shape or embodiment but is shaped only to aid in carrying the case. Furthermore, the housing 10 may be sized such that it may be light enough for one to transport the housing 10 and case.

FIG. 2 depicts the embodiment having drawers 4 within the housing 10. The drawers 4 may have many different configurations including that shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 also depicts the back panel 1 having the receptacles 6 for receiving the bulb bases. The receptacles 6 may be configured and spaced apart to fit bulbs of varying sizes.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment including drawers 4 aligned on one side of the housing 10. Further illustrated are the shelves or trays 8 having receptacles 6 for securing the bulb bases 14. Additionally shown are example dimensions which are provided for example only and not for limitation.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the storage case showing the receptacle 6 engaging the bulb base 14. Additionally shown are the differing types of bulbs that may be stored and how the trays 8 may be configured within the housing 8. Also shown are sample dimensions for use by way of example only.

FIG. 5 depicts slotted 20 receptacles 6 in various embodiments. The slotted 20 receptacles may slidably receive the bulb base 14 in the embodiment of the tray 24 shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the slotted receptacles 20 may be configured as an elongated slot as illustrated in the tray 26 of FIG. 5. Additionally, such a slotted receptacle 20 may be placed in the back panel 1. Furthermore, the slotted receptacle 20 may be friction fit with such additions as expanded foam or the like for receiving bulbs of differing sizes. The bulb base 14 may also be locked within the slotted receptacle using most any known means of securing a bulb base 14 such as clamps, screws, or similar means.

While Applicants have set forth embodiments as illustrated and described above, it is recognized that variations may be made with respect to disclosed embodiments. Therefore, while the invention has been disclosed in various forms only, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many additions, deletions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, and no undue limits should be imposed except as set forth in the following claims. 

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 8. A storage case for light bulbs comprising: sidewalls extending out from and attached to a back panel forming a housing having an open face; a plurality of trays positioned within the housing; and a plurality of receptacles configured for securing light bulbs within the trays.
 9. The storage case for light bulbs of claim 8, further including a drawer element which is movable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position relative to the housing.
 10. The storage case for light bulbs of claim 8, wherein the receptacles are screw type sockets for securing the bulbs to the panel.
 11. The storage case for light bulbs of claim 8, wherein the plurality of receptacles for securing light bulbs within the housing include slotted friction fit opening.
 12. The storage case for light bulbs of claim 8, further including a handle attached to the housing for carrying the storage case and a cover door secured to the housing and enclosing open face of the housing.
 13. The storage case for light bulbs of claim 8, further including a locking mechanism for further securing the bulb within the receptacles.
 14. The storage case for light bulbs of claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism includes the tray having slotted openings for receiving a base portion of the bulb wherein the slotted opening is shaped to engage the base portion.
 15. The storage case for light bulbs of claim 14, further including a center locking position for securing the bulb base within the slotted opening,
 16. (canceled)
 17. The storage case for light bulbs of claim 8, further including the plurality of trays being movable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position relative to the housing.
 18. (canceled)
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